Battery Management ICs

Battery management covers three main functions: (1) Charging — CC/CV profile, termination detection, temperature derating; (2) Fuel gauging — state-of-charge estimation, coulomb counting, model-based estimation; (3) Protection — overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, short circuit, and temperature cutoffs. The right IC depends on cell chemistry (Li-ion, LiFePO4, NiMH), cell count, and whether you need a standalone charger or a system with a host MCU interface.

Families covered: TI BQ27Z (impedance-track fuel gauge), Analog Devices LTC4000 (high-voltage multi-cell charger controller), Maxim MAX173xx/17330 (multi-cell fuel gauge + protection), Maxim MAX77751 (wireless charging), Microchip MCP73831/73833 (single-cell Li-ion charger).